Student Life

Tau Kappa Epsilon is a well-known fraternity at Sonoma State, but what most don’t know is that they were recently recognized at a Nationwide Conference as well.

Founded in 1899, at Illinois University, TKE is an enormous chapter that continues to grow each day.

Every two years, a conference known as “Conclave” joins 291 TKE chapters together throughout the nation.

It took place this year in Washington D.C. where TKE won seven different awards and two of their members were recognized.

Six different members from Sonoma State attended the event and President Ricky Solomon was present to accept the awards and recognitions the chapter received.

“The five awards [were] a testament to how much work every single member put in. It was rewarding to see how our efforts were noticed and will serve as motivation for future members,” said Solomon.

Solomon was also one of the two members to receive an individual award. This award is the highest award given to a collegiate member in the fraternity.

The Chief Executive Officer presents this to members who exemplify high ideals and have exceptional leadership skills. When receiving this award, Solomon was quite surprised.

“I did not expect it because there are in my opinion so many people who are qualified. It was a really humbling experience for me,” said Solomon.

Michael Booz, recent TKE alum and well-known leader throughout his chapter and at Sonoma State, was the other member to receive an individual award.

“College expands one’s mind not only in academics, but expands one’s growth as becoming a sterling human being,” said Booz. “Fraternities, sororities, clubs, student government and any other extracurricular activities partaken are essential to your success as a collegiate student.”

A specific award meant a lot to senior Alex Fast who was also at the conference in Washington D.C.

“The recruitment award we got is very important. Being the rush chairman, I want to continue to improve and continue to find guys that further advance our value in TKE,” said Fast.

TKE goes through a recruitment process twice a year in order to strengthen and expand their chapter.